1,443 research outputs found
A dynamically extending exclusion process
An extension of the totally asymmetric exclusion process, which incorporates
a dynamically extending lattice is explored. Although originally inspired as a
model for filamentous fungal growth, here the dynamically extending exclusion
process (DEEP) is studied in its own right, as a nontrivial addition to the
class of nonequilibrium exclusion process models. Here we discuss various
mean-field approximation schemes and elucidate the steady state behaviour of
the model and its associated phase diagram. Of particular note is that the
dynamics of the extending lattice leads to a new region in the phase diagram in
which a shock discontinuity in the density travels forward with a velocity that
is lower than the velocity of the tip of the lattice. Thus in this region the
shock recedes from both boundaries.Comment: 20 pages, 12 figure
Do people really want to be nudged towards healthy lifestyles?
This paper assesses Thaler and Sunsteinâs claim that policies that nudge individuals towards healthy lifestyles promote the welfare of those individuals, as judged by themselves. I argue that Thaler and Sunstein switch between two different interpretations of that clause. One interpretation gives the clause a wide range of applicability, but drains it of its content as a repudiation of paternalism. The other interpretation makes it more meaningful to say that people want to make the choices they are being nudged towards, but applies to a much narrower range of cases than Thaler and Sunstein have in mind
A model of hyphal tip growth involving microtubule-based transport
We propose a simple model for mass transport within a fungal hypha and its
subsequent growth. Inspired by the role of microtubule-transported vesicles, we
embody the internal dynamics of mass inside a hypha with mutually excluding
particles progressing stochastically along a growing one-dimensional lattice.
The connection between long range transport of materials for growth, and the
resulting extension of the hyphal tip has not previously been addressed in the
modelling literature. We derive and analyse mean-field equations for the model
and present a phase diagram of its steady state behaviour, which we compare to
simulations. We discuss our results in the context of the filamentous fungus,
Neurospora crassa.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Coupling online control and inhibitory systems in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: Goal-directed reaching
For children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), the real-time coupling between frontal executive function and online motor control has not been explored despite reported deficits in each domain. The aim of the present study was to investigate how children with DCD enlist online control under task constraints that compel the need for inhibitory control. A total of 129 school children were sampled from mainstream primary schools. Forty-two children who metre search criteria for DCD were compared with 87 typically developing controls on a modified double-jump reaching task. Children within each skill group were divided into three age bands: younger (6â7years), mid-aged (8â9), and older (10â12). Online control was compared between groups as a function of trial type (non-jump, jump, anti-jump). Overall, results showed that while movement times were similar between skill groups under simple task constraints (non-jump), on perturbation (or jump) trials the DCD group were significantly slower than controls and corrected trajectories later. Critically, the DCD group was further disadvantaged by anti-jump trials where inhibitory control was required; however, this effect reduced with age. While coupling online control and executive systems is not well developed in younger and mid-aged children, there is evidence of age-appropriate coupling in older children. Longitudinal data are needed to clarify this intriguing finding. The theoretical and applied implications of these results are discussed
Characterising competitive equilibrium in terms of opportunity
This paper analyses alternative profiles of opportunity sets for individuals in an exchange economy, without assuming that individualsâ choices reveal coherent preferences. It introduces the concept of a âmarket-clearing single-price regimeâ, representing a profile of opportunity sets consistent with competitive equilibrium. It also proposes an opportunity-based normative criterion, the Strong Opportunity Criterion, which is analogous with the core in preference-based analysis. It shows that every market-clearing single-price regime satisfies the Strong Opportunity Criterion and that, in the limit as an economy is replicated, only such regimes have this property
Phase diagram of two-lane driven diffusive systems
We consider a large class of two-lane driven diffusive systems in contact
with reservoirs at their boundaries and develop a stability analysis as a
method to derive the phase diagrams of such systems. We illustrate the method
by deriving phase diagrams for the asymmetric exclusion process coupled to
various second lanes: a diffusive lane; an asymmetric exclusion process with
advection in the same direction as the first lane, and an asymmetric exclusion
process with advection in the opposite direction. The competing currents on the
two lanes naturally lead to a very rich phenomenology and we find a variety of
phase diagrams. It is shown that the stability analysis is equivalent to an
`extremal current principle' for the total current in the two lanes. We also
point to classes of models where both the stability analysis and the extremal
current principle fail
âI don't think I can catch itâ: women, confidence and responsibility in football coach education
Whilst womenâs participation in sport continues to increase, their presence remains ideologically challenging given the significance of sport for the construction of gendered identities. As a hegmonically masculine institution, leadership roles across sport remain male-dominated and the entry of women into positions of authority (such as coaching) routinely contested. But in powerful male-typed sports, like football, womenâs participation remains particularly challenging. Consequently, constructions of gender inequity in coaching were explored at a regional division of the English Football Association through unstructured interviews and coaching course observation. Using critical discourse
analysis we identified the consistent re/production of women as unconfident in their own skills and abilities, and the framing of women themselves as responsible for the gendered inequities in football coaching. Women were thereby
strategically positioned as deservedly on the periphery of the football category,whilst the organization was positioned as progressive and liberal
Polymer photonic sensing skin
A highly flexible sensing skin with embedded polymer optical fibre Bragg gratings is characterised The response to pressure and strain compare favourably to a similar skin instrumented with silica fibre Bragg grating sensors
Cooperation, Norms, and Revolutions: A Unified Game-Theoretical Approach
Cooperation is of utmost importance to society as a whole, but is often
challenged by individual self-interests. While game theory has studied this
problem extensively, there is little work on interactions within and across
groups with different preferences or beliefs. Yet, people from different social
or cultural backgrounds often meet and interact. This can yield conflict, since
behavior that is considered cooperative by one population might be perceived as
non-cooperative from the viewpoint of another.
To understand the dynamics and outcome of the competitive interactions within
and between groups, we study game-dynamical replicator equations for multiple
populations with incompatible interests and different power (be this due to
different population sizes, material resources, social capital, or other
factors). These equations allow us to address various important questions: For
example, can cooperation in the prisoner's dilemma be promoted, when two
interacting groups have different preferences? Under what conditions can costly
punishment, or other mechanisms, foster the evolution of norms? When does
cooperation fail, leading to antagonistic behavior, conflict, or even
revolutions? And what incentives are needed to reach peaceful agreements
between groups with conflicting interests?
Our detailed quantitative analysis reveals a large variety of interesting
results, which are relevant for society, law and economics, and have
implications for the evolution of language and culture as well
Awards, incentives and mutual benefit
Frey argues that if buyers and sellers of labour understand their relationship merely as exchange, workersâ intrinsic motivation can be impaired; this problem can be partially overcome by using awards as a supplementary reward mechanism. I argue that this proposal is self-defeating. In an economy that relies on the division of labour, it is an unavoidable fact that individuals are subject to the will of others; award-giving practices are merely camouflage. However, recognising this fact need not impair anyoneâs sense of autonomy as a paid worker if participation in market exchanges is understood as expressing intentions for mutual benefit
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